Water quality unit for flow-through manhole

ABSTRACT

A drain system for water quality. The drain system may include one or more baffles. The one or more baffles may be arcuate in shape. The one or more baffles may include one or more openings therethrough. The one or more baffles may be offset in elevation. The one or more baffles may include one or more flanges projecting therefrom. The one or more baffles may be implemented in a flow-through manhole application.

BACKGROUND

The present embodiments relate to water quality control for aflow-through manhole.

Typical drain systems include a manhole having an inlet pipe and anoutlet pipe. The fluids moving from the inlet pipe to the outlet pipecarry solids, such as sediment and other items, and drop at least aportion of the solids therein into the cavity of the manhole. The solidsor other material collect in the cavity for subsequent removal. This maylead to problems including, but not limited to, a higher flow ratepassing through the manhole and interrupting the collected solidsthereby resuspending the solids and inadvertently washing such materialdownstream. Thus, there is a need to increase removal efficiency and/orreduce resuspending of the collected solids.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the invention, for example, a drain system havinga flow direction comprising a manhole, a first arcuate baffle, and/or asecond arcuate baffle. In various embodiments, the manhole may includeat least one inlet and at least one outlet positioned downstream from atleast one inlet. In some embodiments, the first arcuate baffle may havean upper edge and a lower edge and opposing side walls interconnectingthe upper edge and the lower edge, and a convex side upstream of aconcave side. In addition, in some embodiments, the second arcuatebaffle may be spaced downstream of the first arcuate baffle, wherein thesecond arcuate baffle may include an upper edge and a lower edge andopposing side walls interconnecting the upper edge and the lower edge,and a concave side upstream of a convex side. Moreover, in variousembodiments, the first arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle eachmay include a plurality of openings extending through both the concaveside and convex side, respectively.

In some embodiments, the upper edge of the second arcuate baffle may beat an elevation above the upper edge of the first arcuate baffle. Invarious embodiments, the lower edge of the second arcuate baffle may beat an elevation between the upper edge of the first arcuate baffle andthe lower edge of the first arcuate baffle. In some embodiments, theupper edge of the first arcuate baffle may include a first flangeextending downstream and the lower edge of the first arcuate baffle mayinclude a second flange extending upstream. In various embodiments, theupper edge of the second arcuate baffle may include a first flangeextending upstream and the lower edge of the second arcuate baffle mayinclude a second flange extending downstream. Moreover, in someembodiments, the plurality of openings of the second arcuate baffle mayinclude an arcuate pattern. In various embodiments, the side walls ofeach one of the first arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle maybe attached to a side wall of the manhole. In some embodiments, thelower edge of each one of the first arcuate baffle and the secondarcuate baffle may be spaced away from a bottom wall of the manhole, andthe upper edge of each of the first arcuate baffle and the secondarcuate baffle are spaced from a top wall of the manhole. In addition,in various embodiments, the lower edge of each one of the first arcuatebaffle and the second arcuate baffle may be adjacent a bottom wall ofthe manhole, and the upper edge of each of the first arcuate baffle andthe second arcuate baffle are spaced from a top wall of the manhole. Insome embodiments, the plurality of openings may be positioned away fromeach other adjacent the opposing side walls of each of the first arcuatebaffle and the second arcuate baffle, respectively.

In various embodiments, a drain system having a flow direction maycomprise a manhole, a first arcuate baffle, and/or a second arcuatebaffle. In some embodiments, the manhole may include at least one inletand at least one outlet positioned downstream from the at least oneinlet. In various embodiments, the first arcuate baffle may have anupper edge and a lower edge and opposing side walls interconnecting theupper edge and the lower edge, and a convex side upstream of a concaveside. In some embodiments, the second arcuate baffle may be spaceddownstream of the first arcuate baffle, wherein the second arcuatebaffle may include an upper edge and a lower edge and opposing sidewalls interconnecting the upper edge and the lower edge, and a concaveside upstream of a convex side. Moreover, in some embodiments, the upperedge of the second arcuate baffle may be at a first elevation above theupper edge of the first arcuate baffle and the lower edge of the secondarcuate baffle may be at a second elevation between the upper edge ofthe first arcuate baffle and the lower edge of the first arcuate baffle.

In addition, in some embodiments, the upper edge of the first arcuatebaffle may include a first flange extending downstream and the loweredge of the first arcuate baffle may include a second flange extendingupstream, and the upper edge of the second arcuate baffle may include afirst flange extending upstream and the lower edge of the second arcuatebaffle may include a second flange extending downstream. In variousembodiments, the first arcuate baffle may include a plurality of firstopenings adjacent the upper edge and the second arcuate baffle includesa plurality of second openings adjacent the lower edge. In someembodiments, the plurality of second openings of the second arcuatebaffle may be positioned in an arcuate pattern. In various embodiments,the plurality of first openings of the first arcuate baffle may bepositioned in a linear pattern substantially parallel to the upper edge.In some embodiments, the lower edge of each one of the first arcuatebaffle and the second arcuate baffle may be spaced away from a bottomwall of the manhole, and the upper edge of each of the first arcuatebaffle and the second arcuate baffle may be spaced from a top wall ofthe manhole. In some embodiments, the lower edge of each one of thefirst arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle may be adjacent abottom wall of the manhole, and the upper edge of each of the firstarcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle may be spaced from a topwall of the manhole. In various embodiments, the first arcuate bafflemay include at least two opposing first openings adjacent the upper edgeand spaced apart at the opposing side walls, and the second arcuatebaffle includes at least two opposing second openings adjacent the loweredge and spaced apart at the opposing side walls.

In some embodiments, a drain system having a flow direction may comprisea first arcuate baffle and/or a second arcuate baffle. In variousembodiments, the first arcuate baffle may have a concave side and anopposing convex side. In some embodiments, a second arcuate bafflespaced downstream of the first arcuate baffle, wherein the secondarcuate baffle may include a concave side and an opposing convex side.Moreover, in some embodiments, the concave sides of each of the firstarcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle may face towards each otherto define a cavity therebetween.

In addition, in some embodiments, each of the first arcuate baffle andthe second arcuate baffle may include an upper edge and a lower edge,and opposing side walls interconnecting the upper edge and the loweredge. In various embodiments, each of the first arcuate baffle and thesecond arcuate baffle may include a first flange extending from theupper edge into the cavity therebetween. In some embodiments, the firstarcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle may include a second flangeextending from the lower edge in opposite directions away from thecavity. Moreover, in various embodiments, each of the first arcuatebaffle and the second arcuate baffle may include a second flangeextending from the lower edge in opposite directions away from thecavity. In some embodiments, each of the first arcuate baffle and thesecond arcuate baffle may include a plurality of openings extendingbetween the concave side and the convex side. In some embodiments, theplurality of openings of the first arcuate baffle may be substantiallyin the same horizontal plane, and wherein the plurality of openings ofthe second arcuate baffle may be in an arcuate pattern in a directionbetween the lower edge and the upper edge. In various embodiments, thearcuate pattern of the plurality of openings of the second arcuatebaffle may increase in elevation from the lower edge towards each of theopposing side walls. In some embodiments, the lower edge of each one ofthe first arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle may be adjacent abottom wall of a manhole, and the upper edge of each of the firstarcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle may be spaced from a topwall of the manhole. Moreover, in various embodiments, the first arcuatebaffle may include at least two opposing first openings adjacent theupper edge and spaced apart at the opposing side walls, and the secondarcuate baffle may include at least two opposing second openingsadjacent the lower edge and spaced apart at the opposing side walls. Inaddition, in some embodiments, the drain system may include a manholehaving at least one inlet and at least one outlet positioned downstreamfrom at least one inlet, wherein the first arcuate baffle and the secondarcuate baffle may be positioned between at least one inlet and at leastone outlet.

These and other advantages and features, which characterize theembodiments, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and form afurther part hereof. However, for a better understanding of theembodiments, and of the advantages and objectives attained through itsuse, reference should be made to the Drawings and to the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there is described example embodiments.This summary is merely provided to introduce a selection of conceptsthat are further described below in the detailed description, and is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, sectional view of an embodiment of a drainsystem;

FIG. 2 is top view of the drain system of FIG. 1 , with the top wall ofthe manhole removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the upstream baffleand downstream baffle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of the upstream baffle and thedownstream baffle of FIG. 1 illustrating their elevation within thesectional view of the manhole of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of drain system taken along line 5-5 of FIG.2 ;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of drain system taken along line 6-6 of FIG.2 ;

FIG. 7 is a chart illustrating flow velocity/paths through the drainsystem embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of an upstream baffle and adownstream baffle within the sectional view of the manhole of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an upstream baffleand downstream baffle;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of the upstream baffle and thedownstream baffle of FIG. 9 illustrating their elevation within thesectional view of the manhole of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 is a side view of another embodiment of an upstream baffle and adownstream baffle within the sectional view of the manhole of FIG. 1 ;and

FIG. 12 is a chart illustrating flow velocity/paths through the drainsystem embodiment of FIG. 11 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the descriptionbelow. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specificimplementations discussed herein.

The embodiments discussed hereinafter will focus on the implementationof the hereinafter-described techniques within a manhole 10 commonlyused in sewer/drain systems 1 to temporarily collect settable solidsuntil removal from the system. As shown in the Figures, a typicalmanhole 10 includes a cylindrical side wall 11 and a bottom wall 12 andopposing top wall or cover 13. The top wall 13 may include an accessport/lid 14 for access to remove the collected settable solids. One ormore inlets or inlet pipes 15 may extend into the manhole side wall 11and be in fluid communication with one or more downstream outlets oroutlet pipes 16 extending out of the manhole 10. Both the inlet 15 andoutlet 16 of the one embodiment shown, are positioned above or spacedupwardly from the bottom wall 12. In the drain system 1, including atypical manhole 10, fluids flow into the manhole through the inlet 15and exits out of the manhole through the outlet 16 as shown. One or morebaffles 20 within the manhole 10 may increase the removal of solids,efficiency, decrease flow energy, reduce resuspension, vary the fluidvelocity/paths of the flow-through fluid (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 12 ),and/or the like for water quality. The one or more baffles 20 in the oneembodiment shown may be installed before installation of the manhole 10or after installation of the manhole 10 in its application. The one ormore baffles 20 may be attached to the interior of the side wall 11through one or more access openings (e.g. manhole without top wall 13,opened lid 14, and/or top wall 13). One or more fasteners (e.g. bolts,screws, locating pins, etc.) may fix the one or more baffles within themanhole 10. It should be understood that the drain system 1 or manhole10 may be a variety of sizes, shapes, quantities, and constructions andstill be within the scope of the invention. For example, although theinlet pipe 15 and the outlet pipe 16 is shown to have substantially thesame elevation, diameter, and may be coaxial to each other in the oneembodiment, it should be understood that a variety of elevations,diameters, and/or relative orientations/positions between the one ormore inlets/outlets may be constructed (e.g. different axis/elevations).

In some implementations, one or more baffles 20 may be used within thedrain system 1. The one or more baffles 20 may include a plurality ofbaffles positioned within the fluid flow (e.g. in series, parallel,both, etc.). In the one embodiment shown, an upstream baffle 30 and adownstream baffle 40 may be used. The upstream baffle 30 and thedownstream baffle 40 may be positioned between or in fluid communicationwith the inlet 15 and the outlet 16 of the manhole 10. The upstreambaffle 30 may be spaced away from the downstream baffle 40 (e.g. in thehorizontal plane). The baffles 20 may be offset in elevation relative toeach other. In the one embodiment shown, the downstream baffle 40 may beupwardly offset (e.g. vertically) from the upstream baffle 30. The oneor more baffles 20 may include a plurality of edges or peripheries (e.g.inner and/or outer peripheries) directing fluid between the inlet 15 andthe outlet 16. For example, in the one embodiment shown, one or more ofthe baffles 20 may include an upper edge 21 and a lower edge 22 withopposing side walls 23. The side walls 23 may interconnect the upperedge 21 and the lower edge 22. The upper and lower edges 21, 22 may bealternatively described as free ends of the baffle such that thecontents/fluid may flow about these edges/structure (e.g. above and/orbelow) between cavities of drain system 1. The upper edge 21 may bespaced downwardly and away from the top wall 13. The lower edge 22 maybe spaced upwardly and away from the bottom wall 12. The side walls 23of the baffle 20 may be attached to or be adjacent the side wall 11 ofthe manhole 10. Each baffle 20 may include an upstream side 24 and adownstream side 25. The upstream side 24 may face towards the upstreamfluid communication into the manhole 10 or inlet 15. The downstream side25 may face towards the downstream fluid communication out of themanhole 10 or outlet 16. The upstream side 24 and/or downstream side 25may be defined by upper/lower edges 21, 22, side walls 23 and/or otherportions of the baffle (e.g. openings therethrough). The upstream baffle30 and downstream baffle 40 may define one or more cavities in thedirection between the inlet 15 and the outlet 16. A first cavity 17 maybe at least partially defined between the inlet 15, cylindrical sidewall 11, and/or the upstream baffle 30 (e.g. upstream side 24). A secondcavity 18 may be at least partially defined between the upstream baffle30 (e.g. downstream side 25), cylindrical side wall 11, and/or thedownstream baffle 40 (e.g. upstream side 24). Moreover, a third cavity19 may be at least partially defined between the downstream baffle 40(e.g. downstream side 25), cylindrical side wall 11, and/or the outlet16. The first cavity 17 and the third cavity 19 may be similarly shapedin cross section. However, as shown in the one embodiment, the cavitiesmay be different. The second cavity 18 may be larger in cross sectionthan the first cavity 17 and/or the third cavity 19. The baffle 20 maybe a variety of sizes, shapes, quantities, constructions, positionswithin the manhole and still be within the scope of the invention. Forexample, the cavities defined by the one or more baffles may be avariety of shapes, sizes, quantities, and construction.

In some implementations, the one or more of the baffles may be arcuatein shape. The upstream baffle 30 and/or downstream baffle 40 may bearcuate in shape. As shown in the one embodiment, each one of theupstream and downstream baffles 30,40 may be arcuate. Theupstream/downstream arcuate baffles 30/40 may include an arcuate upperedge, lower edge, upstream side, and/or downstream side. In the oneembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 , the upstream arcuate baffle 30 mayinclude the upstream side 24 being convex in shape and the downstreamside 25 being concave in shape. The upstream arcuate baffle 30 includesthe convex side upstream of the opposing concave side. In the oneembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, and 6 , the downstream arcuate baffle 40may include the upstream side 24 being concave and the downstream side25 being convex. Moreover, the downstream arcuate baffle 40 includes theconcave side upstream of the opposing convex side. Alternativelydescribed, the concave sides of the upstream and downstream baffles 30,40 face towards each other when assembled with the manhole to define atleast a portion of the second cavity 18. The opposing sides or convexsides of the upstream arcuate baffle 30 and the downstream arcuatebaffle 40 face in the opposing directions (e.g. towards the inlet andoutlet, respectively). The convex or upstream side 24 of the upstreamarcuate baffle 30 may define at least a portion of the first cavity,adjacent the inlet 15. The convex or downstream side 25 of thedownstream arcuate baffle 40 may define at least a portion of the thirdcavity 19, adjacent the outlet 16. In the one embodiment shown, thecavities may be described as a crescent shaped first cavity 17 and thirdcavity 19 (e.g. opposite/different orientation) and/or an ellipse shape(e.g. elliptical and/or oval) for the second cavity 18. Alternatively,in some embodiments, the cavities/baffles may not be continuously curvedbut may include one or more angles defined by the baffles.

In some implementations, the baffles 20 may include one or more flanges.In various embodiments, the baffle 20 may include one or more flanges,if used, extending upstream/downstream therefrom. The baffle may includea top or first flange 26 extending from adjacent the upper edge 21 ofthe baffle 20. The baffle 20 may include a bottom or second flange 27extending from adjacent the lower edge 22 of the baffle 20. In the oneembodiment shown, the baffle 20 include both the first and secondflanges 26, 27. The first flange 26 of the upstream baffle 30 may extenddownstream from adjacent the upper edge 21 and/or the second flange 27may extend upstream from adjacent the lower edge 22. The first flange 26of the downstream baffle 40 may extend upstream from adjacent the upperedge 21 and/or the second flange 27 may extend downstream from adjacentthe lower edge 22. In the one embodiment shown, the top or first flanges26 of each baffle 30, 40 may extend (e.g. upstream and downstream,respectively) into the second cavity 18. Moreover, the bottom or secondflange 27 of the upstream baffle 30 may extend upstream into the firstcavity 17. In addition, as shown in the one embodiment, the bottom orsecond flange 27 of the downstream baffle 40 may extend downstream intothe third cavity 19. Alternatively stated, the second flanges 27 of theupstream and downstream baffles 30, 40 extend in opposite directions(e.g. upstream and downstream) of or away from the second cavity 18. Insome embodiments, one or more of the flanges 26, 27 may extend in ahorizontal plane from baffle 20. The one or more flanges 26, 27 may bearcuate in shape. In some embodiments, the one or more flanges mayextend in the vertical plane. In the one embodiment as shown, the flange28 may extend from/along the side walls 23 of the baffle 20. Moreover,in the one embodiment shown, one or more flanges 28 may extend along oradjacent the side wall 23 of the baffle 20 between upper edge 21 andlower edge 22. The one or more flanges 28, or portions thereof (e.g.apertures), may receive the one or more fasteners (not shown) to engagethe baffle 20 to the side wall 11 of the manhole 10. It should beunderstood that the flange of the baffle may be a variety of shapes,sizes, quantities, constructions, positions, and orientations and stillbe within the scope of the invention.

In various implementations, the one or more baffles 20 may include oneor more openings 50 therethrough. The opening 50, if used, may extend inthe direction of flow from inlet 15 towards the outlet 16 or through thebaffle 20 (e.g. through both the upstream side 24 and the downstreamside 25 of the baffle). Flow may pass through one or more of theopenings 50, if used, and/or bypass the upper edge 21 and/or lower edge22 of the corresponding one or more baffles 20, 30, 40. Each one of theupstream baffle 30 and the downstream baffle 40 may include a pluralityof openings 50. Alternatively, a single upstream baffle 30 or downstreambaffle 40 may include the one or more openings 50. The opening 50 orperiphery defining the opening 50 may be substantially circular in someembodiments. The outer periphery of the opening 50 may be continuousabout the opening as shown in the one embodiment, or may bediscontinuous (e.g. intersecting an edge of the baffle 20, defined inpart by the side wall 11 of the manhole, etc.). In the one embodimentshown, the first openings 51, if used, of the upstream baffle 30 may bepositioned adjacent the upper edge 21. The first openings 51 may bepositioned in a linear pattern P1 in a horizontal plane along theupstream arcuate baffle. The linear pattern P1 may be parallel to and/orspaced away from the upper edge 21. The first openings 51 may bepositioned along the arcuate shape of the upstream arcuate baffle 30. Inthe one embodiment shown, the second openings 52, if used, of thedownstream baffle 40 may be positioned adjacent the lower edge 22. Thesecond openings 52 may be positioned in a plurality of differentvertical elevations within the baffle. As best shown in FIG. 6 , thesecond openings 52 may be positioned in an arcuate pattern P2 (e.g. atone or more radiuses) about an axis (e.g. along a longitudinal axis inthe direction of flow, longitudinal axis A of the outlet 16, etc.) or ina direction between the lower edge 22 and the upper edge 21 of thebaffle 20. The arcuate pattern P2 may also be described as beingsubstantially perpendicular to the arcuate shape of the baffle. Theposition of the second openings 52 may increase in elevation from thelower edge 22 (e.g. adjacent the midpoint of the baffle) towards eachone of the opposing side walls 23. The second openings 52 may not extendcontinuously along the pattern P2 or arc, as shown in FIG. 6 . Thesecond openings 52 may not present adjacent the midpoint of the bafflebut are positioned laterally therefrom towards the side wall 23, 11 in aprogressively increasing elevation along the arc or pattern P2. Thesecond openings 52 may be positioned along the arcuate shape of thedownstream arcuate baffle 40. It should be understood that the openings50 may be a variety of quantities, shapes, sizes, constructions, andpositions within the one or more baffles 20 and still be within thescope of the invention. For example, although the opening 50 (e.g. 51and/or 52) may not each have an axis parallel to another opening 50(e.g. 51 and/or 52) within one or more arcuate baffles as shown, one ormore openings may have an axis parallel to each other in someembodiments.

In some implementations, the baffles 20 may be positioned between theinlet 15 and outlet 16 of the manhole 10 in a variety of positions (e.g.elevations, spacing, etc.) relative to each other. As shown in the oneembodiment, the baffles 20 or portions thereof may be offset from eachother in elevation. As shown in FIG. 4 , the second or downstreamarcuate baffle 40 may be offset upwardly above the first or upstreamarcuate baffle 30. The upper edge 21 and/or first flange 26 of thedownstream arcuate baffle 40 may be at an elevation above or offset fromthe upper edge 21 and/or first flange 26 of the upstream arcuate baffle30. In various embodiments, the lower edge 22 of the second ordownstream arcuate baffle 40 may be offset from or at an elevationbetween the upper edge 21 of the first arcuate baffle 30 and the loweredge 22 of the first arcuate baffle 30. The upper edge 21, first flange26, and/or the first openings 51 of the first or upstream arcuate baffle30 may be positioned between the top extent and bottom extent of theinlet pipe 15. Also, in the one embodiment shown, the upper edge 21and/or first flange 26 of the second arcuate baffle 40 may be positionedabove the top extent of the outlet pipe 16. It should be understood thatthe baffles 20 may be in a variety of positions relative to theinlet/outlet within the side wall 11 of the manhole 10.

In use, the baffles 20 (e.g. one or more of the upstream arcuate bafflesand/or one or more of the downstream arcuate baffles) may be stackedtogether for shipping, storage, or handling. Being stacked, the one ormore baffles 20 may be easily handled and/or packaged together. Itshould be understood that any combination of upstream arcuate baffles 30and/or downstream arcuate baffles 40 may be stacked with concave side ofone baffle 20 receiving the convex side of another baffle 20. Whenstacked the flanges, if any, of adjacent baffles may overlap.

In some implementations, one or more baffles 20 may be in a variety ofpositions within the manhole 10. In some embodiments, one or morebaffles 20 (e.g. upstream and/or the downstream baffles) may extend fromthe bottom wall 12 of the manhole. The lower edge 22 of one or morebaffles 20 may be adjacent the bottom wall 12 of the manhole 10. Asshown in FIGS. 8, 11, and 12 , both the upstream arcuate baffle 20, 130,330 and the downstream arcuate baffle 20, 140, 340 may extend upwardlyfrom the bottom wall 12 of the manhole 10. The lower edge 22 may beadjacent the bottom wall 12. In various implementations, one or morebaffles 20 (e.g. upstream and/or the downstream baffles) may be spacedaway from the bottom wall 12 of the manhole 10. The lower edge 22 of oneor more baffles 20 may be spaced from the bottom wall 12 of the manhole.As shown in FIGS. 1-7, 9 and 10 , both the upstream arcuate baffle 20,30, 230 and the downstream arcuate baffle 20, 40, 240 may be spaced awayfrom the bottom wall 12 of the manhole 10. The lower edge 22 may bespaced away from the bottom wall 12. It should be understood that onebaffle (e.g. upstream or downstream), of one or more baffles, may extendfrom the bottom wall while another one or more baffles, if used, (e.g.upstream or downstream) may be spaced away from the bottom wall in someembodiments. In addition it should be understood that one baffle (e.g.upstream or downstream), of one or more baffles, may be spaced from thebottom wall while another one or more baffles, if used, (e.g. upstreamor downstream) may extend from the bottom wall in various embodiments.For example, a single baffle may extend from the bottom wall.Alternatively, a single baffle may be spaced from the bottom wall. Insome embodiments, for example, the upstream arcuate baffle may extendfrom the bottom wall while the downstream arcuate baffle may be spacedfrom the bottom wall. Alternatively, in some embodiments, for example,the upstream arcuate baffle may be spaced from the bottom wall while thedownstream arcuate baffle may extend from the bottom wall.

In some implementations, one or more openings through one or morebaffles 20 may be adjacent the side walls 23 and may be spaced aparttherefrom. As shown in FIGS. 9-11 , the one or more openings 50 may beadjacent the side walls 23. In some embodiments, the opening 50 may beadjacent both opposing side walls and may be spaced apart by a distancein one or more baffles. In some embodiments, the upstream arcuate baffle230, 330 may include first openings 51 positioned away from each otheradjacent the upper edge 21 and may be adjacent opposing side walls 23.The first openings 51 may be spaced apart a first distance in adirection between the opposing side walls 23. The first openings 51 maybe at the same elevation in some embodiments as shown. But may be atdifferent elevations in some embodiments. In various embodiments, thedownstream arcuate baffle 240, 340 may include second openings 52positioned away from each other adjacent the lower edge 22 and may beadjacent opposing side walls 23. The second openings 52 may be spacedapart a second distance in a direction between the opposing side walls23. The second openings 52 may be at the same elevation in someembodiments as shown. But may be at different elevations in someembodiments. As shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 9-11 , both theupstream and downstream arcuate baffles 20, 230, 330, 240, 340 mayinclude the openings 50 positioned or spaced away from each other (e.g.adjacent the side walls). However, one or more baffles 20 (e.g. upstreamor downstream) may include the openings 50 positioned or spaced awayfrom each other (e.g. adjacent the side walls) in some implementations,alone or in combination with another one or more baffles with another ordifferent opening pattern. Moreover, the plurality of openings 51, 52are shown as rectangular in shape in the one embodiment shown in FIGS.9-11 , however, the openings may be a variety of shapes, sizes, andquantities.

In some implementations, varying the position of the one or moreopenings within the baffle may direct flow in one or more directionsbetween cavities defined by the one or more baffles and/or between oneor more inlets and one or more outlets. For example, in someimplementations as more clearly shown in FIG. 12 , the first openings 51may spilt the flow from the first cavity 17/inlet 15 towards the secondcavity 18. In addition, in various embodiments as shown in FIG. 12 , thesecond openings 52 may converge flow from the second cavity 18 towardsthe middle cavity 19/outlet 16.

While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein,those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety ofother means and/or structures for performing the function and/orobtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages describedherein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to bewithin the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally,those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters,dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant tobe exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application orapplications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in theart will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routineexperimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments describedherein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoingembodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within thescope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. Inaddition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, isincluded within the scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, theterms “connected,” “coupled,” “in communication with,” and “mounted,”and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct andindirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms“connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted tophysical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or formsdisclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A drain system having a flow directioncomprising: a manhole including at least one inlet and at least oneoutlet positioned downstream from the at least one inlet, and whereinthe manhole includes a bottom wall; a first arcuate baffle having anupper edge and a lower edge and opposing side walls interconnecting theupper edge and the lower edge, and a convex side upstream of a concaveside; a second arcuate baffle spaced downstream of the first arcuatebaffle, wherein the second arcuate baffle includes an upper edge and alower edge and opposing side walls interconnecting the upper edge andthe lower edge, and a concave side upstream of a convex side; andwherein at least one of the first arcuate baffle and/or the secondarcuate baffle includes one or more openings extending through both theconcave side and the convex side, respectively.
 2. The drain system ofclaim 1 wherein the first arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffleeach includes one or more openings, and wherein the one or more openingsof the first arcuate baffle are positioned at a higher elevation thanthe one or more openings of the second arcuate baffle.
 3. The drainsystem of claim 1 wherein the side walls of each one of the firstarcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle are attached to a side wallof the manhole.
 4. The drain system of claim 1 wherein the lower edge ofat least one of the first arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffleare spaced away from a bottom wall of the manhole, and the upper edge ofeach of the first arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle arespaced from a top wall of the manhole.
 5. The drain system of claim 4wherein the lower edge of each one of the first arcuate baffle and thesecond arcuate baffle are spaced away from a bottom wall of the manhole.6. The drain system of claim 1 wherein the lower edge of at least one ofthe first arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle are adjacent thebottom wall of the manhole, and the upper edge of each of the firstarcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle are spaced from a top wallof the manhole.
 7. The drain system of claim 6 wherein the lower edge ofeach one of the first arcuate baffle and the second arcuate baffle areadjacent the bottom wall of the manhole.
 8. The drain system of claim 1wherein the one or more openings are positioned adjacent the opposingside walls of the at least one of the first arcuate baffle and/or thesecond arcuate baffle.
 9. A drain system having a flow directioncomprising: a manhole including at least one inlet and at least oneoutlet positioned downstream from the at least one inlet, and whereinthe manhole includes a bottom wall and an opposing top wall; a firstarcuate baffle having an upper edge and a lower edge and opposing sidewalls interconnecting the upper edge and the lower edge, and a convexside upstream of a concave side; a second arcuate baffle spaceddownstream of the first arcuate baffle, wherein the second arcuatebaffle includes an upper edge and a lower edge and opposing side wallsinterconnecting the upper edge and the lower edge, and a concave sideupstream of a convex side; and wherein the upper edge of at least one ofthe first arcuate baffle and/or the second arcuate baffle is spaced fromthe top wall of the manhole.
 10. The drain system of claim 9 wherein thelower edge of at least one of the first arcuate baffle and/or the secondarcuate baffle is adjacent the bottom wall of the manhole.
 11. The drainsystem of claim 9 wherein the lower edge of at least one of the firstarcuate baffle and/or the second arcuate baffle is spaced away from thebottom wall of the manhole.
 12. The drain system of claim 9 wherein thefirst arcuate baffle includes one or more first openings and the secondarcuate baffle includes one or more second openings.
 13. The drainsystem of claim 12 wherein a plurality of the one or more first openingsof the first arcuate baffle are positioned in a linear patternsubstantially parallel to the upper edge.
 14. The drain system of claim12 wherein a plurality of the one or more second openings of the secondarcuate baffle are positioned in a linear pattern substantially parallelto the upper edge.
 15. The drain system of claim 12 wherein at least oneof the one or more first openings is at a higher elevation than at leastone of the one or more second openings.
 16. The drain system of claim 9wherein at least one of the first arcuate baffle and/or the secondarcuate baffle includes at least one opening extending through both theconcave side and the convex side, respectively.
 17. A drain systemhaving a flow direction comprising: a first arcuate baffle having aconcave side, wherein the first arcuate baffle includes one or morefirst openings; a second arcuate baffle spaced downstream of the firstarcuate baffle, wherein the second arcuate baffle includes a concaveside, and wherein the second arcuate baffle includes one or more secondopenings; and wherein the concave sides of each of the first arcuatebaffle and the second arcuate baffle face towards each other to defineat least one cavity therebetween.
 18. The drain system of claim 17wherein the one or more first openings of the first arcuate baffle aresubstantially in a first horizontal plane and the one or more secondopenings of the second arcuate baffle are substantially in a secondhorizontal plane, and wherein the first horizontal plane is at a higherelevation than the second horizontal plane.
 19. The drain system ofclaim 17 wherein each one of the first arcuate baffle and the secondarcuate baffle includes an upper edge and a lower edge, and opposingside walls interconnecting the upper edge and the lower edge.
 20. Thedrain system of claim 17 further comprising a manhole including at leastone inlet and at least one outlet positioned downstream from the atleast one inlet, wherein the first arcuate baffle and the second arcuatebaffle is positioned between the at least one inlet and the at least oneoutlet.
 21. The drain system of claim 17 wherein a lower edge of atleast one of the first arcuate baffle and/or the second arcuate baffleis adjacent a bottom end of a manhole.
 22. The drain system of claim 17wherein a lower edge of at least one of the first arcuate baffle and/orthe second arcuate baffle is spaced away from a bottom end of a manhole.23. The drain system of claim 17 wherein an upper edge of at least oneof the first arcuate baffle and/or the second arcuate baffle is spacedaway from a top end of a manhole.